Historic Tour of Matjiesfontein
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by The Lord Milner Hotel in Karoo
05 Sep 2016
45min
 1mi
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About the audio tour
Tour the perfectly preserved Victorian town of Matjiesfontein with renowned author Dean Allen. Starting at the majestic Lord Milner Hotel, you'll be guided down the high street, through the immaculate gardens, and along the train station, ending up at The Laird's Arms for a well-deserved pint.
Over the course of the walk, Dean will tell the tale of the village's creation by the 'ideal colonialist', James Logan, in the late 1800s. You will follow Logan's transformation from a penniless 19-year-old Scottish immigrant to the man who built a model town in the middle of nowhere, influenced trade and politics, and toured Britain with his very own South African cricket team.
For more about Dean Allen, visit his website: www.deanallen.co.za
Major Landmarks
The Lord Milner Hotel, Tweedside Lodge, The Laird's Arms, Matjiesfontein Train Station
Directions to starting point
The tour begins outside The Lord Milner Hotel on Matjiesfontein's main road, in the picturesque front courtyard.
Tips
Places to stop along the way:
The Old Post Office, Travellers Chapel, The Transport Museum, The Marie Rawdon Museum, Railway Museum, Coffee House, The Laird's Arms
Best time of day:
The walk can be done at any time, but the gardens are particularly beautiful in the morning. You might like to start this tour around 4:30pm, to arrive at the Laird's Arms in time to take "the world's shortest bus tour", which leaves from right in front of the pub.
Precautions:
If there has been heavy rain, the river crossing may be flooded. Please check this with the hotel's front desk before starting the tour. The gardens are also known to have a few resident snakes, so keep your eyes open and be aware along this section.
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